KR sex crime victim speaks

KR sex crime victim speaks

Som Sotheavy, who on Wednesday became the first civil party at Cambodia’s Extraordinary Chambers to lodge a complaint pertaining to gender-related crimes, breaks down at a press conference.

A TRANSGENDERED woman advanced civil-party participation at the Extraordinary Chambers on Wednesday, becoming the first victim of sexual violence under the Khmer Rouge to file a complaint with the UN-backed court.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Som Sotheavy broke down as she explained how she was sexually assaulted, gang-raped and brutalised by prison officers during the 1975-79 regime. "I could never have imagined to this day that my story would be told," she said, wiping back tears.

Som Sotheavy becomes the court's first civil party to lodge a complaint pertaining to gender-related crimes.

Civil party lawyer Silke Stuzinsky said the complaint was a symbolic moment for the tribunal.

"It is time to dispel the widespread myth that sexual violence did not occur under the Khmer Rouge," she said.

Som Sotheavy was confident that the court would help her to come to terms with the crimes she suffered, which included being threatened with death if she did not marry and have sex with a woman. "I believe that the hybrid court will find justice for me," she said.

Representatives of the Victims Unit expressed hope that the complaint would encourage more victims of sexual violence under the Khmer Rouge regime to come forward.

Username *

Password *

MOST VIEWED

The owner of currency exchange company GCG Asia Co Ltd was temporarily detained by the court yesterday for attempted fraud after Prime Minister Hun Sen reacted to the company using his name and pictures to allege his endorsement of the firm.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court

An archeological team has found a metre-long tipless stone linga (penis) of the Hindu deity Shiva in the foundations of a temple in Kratie province’s historical Samphu Borak area, a former capital of the pre-Angkor Empire Chenla period.
Thuy Chanthourn, the deputy director of

The Preah Sihanouk provincial administration has ordered owners of two unauthorised construction sites to immediately dismantle them and warned of legal action if the owners failed to comply.
Ly Chet Niyom, development management and construction bureau chief at the provincial hall, told The Post on

Cambodian police remain on the lookout for 20 Chinese nationals who earlier this month posted a video clip threatening to stoke insecurity in Preah Sihanouk province, though the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh maintained the group posed no threats to Cambodia’s national security.
National Police